Cruel US immigration policy damages workers' health

Study shows impact of deportations on immigrants

By Ernesto Aguilar

December 31, 2012

US immigration policy creates suffering.

Immigrant rights organizers have for years criticized the impact of deportations for their disastrous impact on the well-being of families and communities. A new study released recently gives a glimpse into the hardships the capitalist system places on immigrants and their loved ones.

The organization No More Deaths issued a 12-page report examining the health of those deported to northern Mexico from the United States. Anxieties caused by police and separation from family members, researchers found, led to health problems among the deported immigrants. "Post-Deportation Health: A Humanitarian Assessment" exposes the cruel effects of deportation on the health of immigrants by looking at the statistics as well as the personal stories that are part of the global tragedy. Among the findings:

44 percent of those deported said their families depended on their incomes from "a lot" to "completely" for their needs.

32 percent languished in detention facilities for one to three months before being sent back to countries of origin.

In addition, many immigrants reported being put into positions of being asked to "help" organized crime—which itself presents threats to security and health.

No More Deaths recommends suspending deportations of immigrants with strong ties such as family in the United States. The group also suggests enhanced health services for immigrants.

The capitalist system and reactionary politicians have seized on the specter of immigrants taking “American jobs” as a pretense for racist attacks and undermining basic labor rights of everyone. The deportation process itself only makes the climate of fear and stress associated with an economic crisis worse.

Immigrants are frequently driven to leave home and come to the United States by the economic impact that vulture capitalism has had in decimating economies around the world. Under socialism, repressive policing and the bigoted treatment of immigrant workers would end. The workers' struggle has no borders!